Did You Know?

As an ambassador of the University of Kansas, I have many opportunities to share the distinction and merit of KU Lawrence with friends, colleagues, family, prospective students, and others.

Many of you are preparing for travel during spring break, and I want to share with you some of the information I use to convey the pride we all feel in the KU Lawrence campus. This institution is that good.

Jayhawks unrivalled

Our recent graduate program rankings show the Lawrence campus is a major force on the national and world stage. As a member of the AAU, we attract the very best people and businesses to Kansas.

Closer to home, KU Lawrence is No.1 among all Kansas Board of Regents universities in several areas:

Enrollment

Graduation rate

Degrees conferred

Research funding

Startup companies generated

KU Lawrence has the largest enrollment of any Regents institution, and as documented in the KBOR State University Data Book, this campus has attracted the most academically talented freshman class of any Regents institution for each of the past six years.

KU’s graduation rate for undergraduates is the highest among all Regents institutions, and our focus is to increase our student success rate further.

Coupled with the breadth of degree offerings and high-ability student body, this campus confers more degrees annually than any other Regents institution. KU Lawrence confers 28 percent of the degrees in the entire Regents system, but receives less than a quarter of the budget.

Of the state’s 33 active university-based startup companies, the majority originated or co-originated at the KU Lawrence campus.

And here’s a bonus fact:

KU Lawrence’s efficiency projects have resulted in millions of dollars in savings and avoided costs, which is allowing crucial progress on the Campus Master Plan. Truth be told, this success is being used as a model by other universities.

There are so many other national and international achievements I can point to, such as our award-winning students and faculty. For example, KU Lawrence has given rise to 26 Rhodes Scholars, more than any other institution in Kansas.

This campus is unique in the role it plays in this state and the service it provides to Kansas citizens and businesses. No other institution in Kansas has the scope and breadth of calling. I join with KU Medical Center Executive Vice Chancellor Doug Girod in fully supporting Gov. Sam Brownback's budget for stable higher education funding as well as the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Kansas Board of Regents block grant system.

The common thread that runs through all of these superlatives is you — the KU community. The dedication you bring to this institution makes all the difference in the world. Thank you!

So join me in sharing Jayhawk pride far and wide. And have a happy and safe spring break.